Sparks' Kelsey Plum Makes Statement Against Paige Bueckers, Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

Plum keeps L.A.'s playoff hopes alive after a must-win contest over Bueckers and Dallas.

Sep 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) is defended by Los Angeles Sparks forward Azura Stevens (23) and guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Sparks entered Sunday's home contest against the Dallas Wings fresh off a pair of road losses to the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday and Friday, respectively, and in must-win territory for their final three games of this year's regular season.

Read more: Sparks' Rickea Jackson Talks Mindset Playing Through Injury, Calls Out Opponents 

Fueled by a timely 11-0 scoring run in just under two minutes midway through the fourth quarter, the Sparks won a 91-77 thriller over the Wings at Crypto.com Arena — keeping their 2025 WNBA playoff hopes alive.

Everything coming up Julie Allemand! @JulieAllemand x @WNBA pic.twitter.com/a1RVFSWpCt

— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) September 7, 2025

The purple and gold, battling with the Seattle Storm for the No. 8 and final postseason spot, now must win its final two regular season contests — and have the Storm lose their final game — to solidify a playoff berth.

The last time the Wings and Sparks faced off, on Aug. 20, Dallas' star rookie Paige Bueckers poured in a career-high 44 points.

But on Sunday, improved L.A. defense limited Bueckers to 18 points. The rookie was one of just three Wings players to score double-digit points.

Bully ball. 😤@dearicamarie x @WNBA pic.twitter.com/8bn8ovJYHZ

— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) September 7, 2025

Julie Allemand led the Sparks' offense with 21 points and four assists. Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby added 12 and 15 points, respectively.

Read more: Former Sparks Guard Signed By Fever Amid Caitlin Clark's Absence   

Allemand joins Las Vegas Aces star forward A'ja Wilson as the only two WNBA players this season to finish a game with 16-plus points, four-plus steals, four-plus assists and no turnovers.

Azura Stevens logged 13 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes for the purple and gold, her ninth double-double of 2025 and 20th career double-double overall.

The Sparks' focus now moves to Tuesday's must-win contest against the Phoenix Mercury.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.